The FAA is taking more action to cut down on the growing problem of lasers being pointed at aircraft by establishing a new website to make it easier to report laser incidents and to obtain information on the subject. This year, through Oct. 20, pilots reported 2,795 laser events. That is an increase from less […]
Opinion
‘Washing’ ethanol out of mogas – Part II
Back in November 2010 I wrote a blog about separating ethanol from E10 by a method that is commonly known as “washing.” Looks like pilots don’t get it. There has been an ongoing conversation on backcountrypilot.org about separating ethanol from auto fuel by “washing” it out with water — scroll down to the entry by […]
Coalition debunks claims by LightSquared on GPS issue
Continuing efforts by LightSquared to push for Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval for the spectrum to use in developing a nationwide broadband telecommunication network are resulting in repeated misstatements and rewriting of history, according to the Coalition to Save Our GPS. Interference of the spectrum LightSquared wants to use, unless resolved, would affect the accuracy […]
Can fuel suppliers refuse autogas sales for aviation?
In the past three years, the authors of the GAFuels blog have assisted countless pilots, flight schools, flying clubs, FBOs, airport managers and others in the search for suppliers of ethanol-free autogas. If existing suppliers of the other FAA-approved aviation fuels (avgas and Jet-A) would offer autogas, our help would not be necessary. (Why they […]
U-Fuel releases white paper on self-service fueling
U-Fuel, a manufacturer of fuel equipment for aviation and other markets, has released a white paper (Self-Service Fuel: Airport Money Maker) on the benefits of self-service fueling. The paper covers the historical development of self-service fueling, standard components of a modern system, related topics such as site preparation and installation, safety features, financing, insurance, and […]
Beijing’s first GA firm
China Daily reported that the Beijing General Aviation Group (BGAG) has been co-founded by Beijing Automotive Group (BAIC) and Beihang University, in terms of capital ($15.7 million) and technologies, respectively. According to Wikipedia, BAIC is a state-owned automaker that manufactures Hyundai and Mercedes-branded autos for sale on the Chinese market. From the same China Daily […]
How’s your elevator speech?
In my position as a city commissioner I often find myself being lobbied by a resident or a developer who has a position they want me to adopt. That’s fair. In fact, it’s the basis of our system of government. We are, after all, a representative republic. Periodically we elect someone from our midst to […]
Working together
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When William Piper Sr. was active in bringing aviation to many people in different walks of life, the interests, groups, companies, and politicians were fragmented. He commented to me that it took 50 years before the public realized there should be beltway routes around cities rather than force all traffic to go […]
The first regulations
Those who are familiar with today’s Federal Aviation Regulations know that they are a thicket of rules, occupying four volumes of the Code of Federal Regulations, consisting of 460 sections extending over 3,600 pages. But 85 years ago, it was a simpler time for aviation. That’s when the regulation of aircraft and pilots began with […]